State of Maine
Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management
Maine Emergency Management Agency

CONTACT: Vanessa Sperrey
CELL PHONE: (207) 592-6201
EMAIL: [email protected]

AUGUSTA, Maine - The Maine Drought Task Force met Friday, December 19, for its final meeting of 2025 to review drought conditions that continue to affect communities, farms, and water supplies across the state.

Even with some recent rain, drought conditions remain widespread. About 60 percent of Maine is currently in severe drought, and roughly 3 percent is experiencing extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Overall conditions have changed very little in recent weeks, showing that the drought is lingering as winter begins.

Months of below-normal rainfall have left soils dry, water levels low, and water supplies under stress statewide.

"This was one of the driest summers Maine has ever seen, and hundreds of Mainers reported dry wells," said Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Director Pete Rogers. "Drought is more than just a lack of rain. Through the Drought Task Force, we're working together to share information, coordinate resources, and reduce risks to public health and safety as these conditions continue into the new year."

Dry Wells and Wildfire Impacts

MEMA's voluntary Dry Well Survey received 541 reports of dry wells in 2025, an increase of 42 since the last Task Force meeting. The highest number of reports came from Oxford, Somerset, and Cumberland counties, with York, Franklin, and Androscoggin counties close behind.

Dry conditions also contributed to an active wildfire season. Maine recorded 848 wildfires, burning more than 500 acres statewide. The Maine Forest Service reported that August was its busiest month, with fires caused by debris burning, open fires, and equipment or vehicle use.

Drinking Water Impacts

Some public drinking water systems continue to face water supply challenges, particularly in parts of Cumberland, Franklin, Penobscot, Somerset, and York counties. Previously reported issues in Oxford and Washington counties have since been resolved. While moderate drought conditions are widespread, the number of customers affected remains relatively small, thanks in part to long-term infrastructure improvements made by many water systems.

The Department of Health and Human Services' Maine CDC Drinking Water Program is providing technical support to private well owners and encourages residents with dry wells to report them through MEMA's Dry Well Survey. Officials remind residents not to drink water from springs due to contamination risks and note that adding water to a private well is rarely legal or recommended. Bottled water is widely available, and anyone experiencing water shortages should contact their local or county emergency management office for help.

To report a dry well or get help completing the survey, residents can call 211 (or 866-811-5695) or text their ZIP code to 898-211. Reporting a dry well does not automatically enroll someone in assistance programs.

Impacts on Agriculture

The drought has affected every part of Maine's agricultural sector. Damage to berry and fruit crops is expected to carry into the 2026 growing season. Livestock producers, including dairy and beef farmers, are facing serious hay shortages, forcing many to buy additional feed or reduce herd sizes.

To help, the Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry (DACF) manages the Farmers Drought Relief Fund. In its first year, the program invested about $438,000 in water infrastructure projects such as wells, storage ponds, and water management plans. In 2026, DACF expects to make about $1.2 million available, enough to support roughly 40 more farms. A new application period is expected to open in early January.

Agricultural Resources

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency (FSA) has designated multiple Maine counties as Primary Natural Disaster Areas due to prolonged drought conditions, making producers in those areas eligible for essential federal assistance, including low-interest emergency loans. Under the first designation, Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin, Kennebec, Oxford, and Somerset Counties are primary eligible areas, with Aroostook, Lincoln, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Sagadahoc, Waldo, and York counties listed as contiguous eligible counties; a second designation also identifies Hancock, Knox, Waldo, and Washington as primary disaster counties with additional contiguous eligibility in Aroostook, Kennebec, Lincoln, Penobscot, and Somerset. These designations open critical financial relief to help agricultural producers recover from production and physical losses, refinance debt, and stabilize operations as they respond to drought impacts; application deadlines extend into May and June 2026.

Impacts on Fisheries and Wildlife

Low river flows are affecting fish habitat and migration across the state. On rivers like the Narraguagus, reduced flows have exposed riverbeds and created icy, slushy conditions that limit available habitat. Low water levels during fall outmigration restricted Atlantic salmon access to cooler tributaries, which could impact the 2026 salmon population.

Elsewhere, extremely low lake and stream levels have blocked fish passage. At dams and impoundments across Maine, low water prevented juvenile alewives and adult American Eels from emigrating to the Gulf of Maine.

Fish Hatcheries

Drought conditions have also been felt at some of Maine's fish hatcheries, mainly through reduced water supplies and challenges with fall stocking. While low water required some fish to be stocked at alternate locations, overall water levels remained sufficient to maintain fish production. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife reports that drought conditions have not disrupted operations across the hatchery system.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Climate forecasters expect La Niña conditions to continue this winter, with a possible shift to more neutral conditions between January and March 2026. For New England, this typically means changing weather patterns, including brief cold snaps and storms tracking more often through the Ohio Valley. Winter temperatures are expected to be closer to normal, especially compared to the past few milder winters.

The Maine Drought Task Force is made up of state, federal, and private partners, and will discuss convening again in the coming year. Residents are encouraged to check with their local town or city offices for information about water restrictions and local resources.

For more information and resources, visit:

• MaineHousing Home Repair Program
• USDA Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants
• Maine CDC Private Well Water webpage (for technical assistance)
• DACF Farmers Drought Relief Fund
• Maine Forest Service Wildfire Danger Report
• U.S. Drought Monitor
• USGS Water Watch
• Northeast Drought Early Warning System
• National Integrated Drought Information System
• NWS Caribou Drought Information Statement
• NWS Gray Drought Information Statement

For other safety and preparedness information, visit MEMA's website or find us on Facebook, X, Bluesky, and Nextdoor.

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